Background
Barns, William Derrick was born on April 3, 1917 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William Post and Lida (Williams) Barns.
Barns, William Derrick was born on April 3, 1917 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William Post and Lida (Williams) Barns.
Bachelor of Arts, Pennsylvania State University, 1939; Master of Arts, Pennsylvania State University, 1940; Doctor of Philosophy, West Virginia University, 1947.
Instructor history, Pennsylvania State University, 1939-1940; visiting professor, Pennsylvania State University, 1949; member of faculty, West Virginia University, Morgantown, 1940-1991; professor of history, West Virginia University, 1977-1985; professor emeritus, West Virginia University, 1985-1991. Visiting professor Marshall U., Huntington, West Virginia, 1951, McMaster U., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1957, 59, 61.
Field agent American Friends Service Committee, 1944-1946. Co-founder, director West Virginia Civil Liberties Union, 1970-1979, vice president, 1979-1981. Member American History Association, Organisation American Historians, Agricultural History Society, American Association of University Professors (co-founder West Virginia conference 1961, director 1961-1971), West Virginia History Association College and University Teachers (co-founder 1959, president 1962-1963, archivist, advisory 1973-1991), English Speaking Union, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta, Pi Gamma Mu, Alpha Tau Omega.
Married Doretha Mae Clayton, September 3, 1947.